Flash Gordon

Synopsis

Earth faces destruction from the rogue planet Mongo, prompting Flash Gordon, Dale Arden, and Dr. Zarkov to blast off in a rocket to save humanity. Upon arrival, they battle the evil Emperor Ming the Merciless, facing Shark Men and ray guns in a desperate fight for survival. This 13-chapter serial defined the space opera genre, with Buster Crabbe’s heroic performance and thrilling cliffhangers directly inspiring George Lucas to create Star Wars.

Critique

This serial is the bedrock of space opera, directly inspiring Star Wars and the modern blockbuster. It introduced the archetype of the space hero, the evil emperor, and the alien world filled with distinct tribes. Its imaginative design, from art deco rocket ships to exotic costumes, created a visual vocabulary for sci-fi that persists today. Though campy now, it was a marvel of special effects and escapism for Depression-era audiences. It proved that comics could be successfully adapted to screen, laying the foundation for the superhero dominance of modern cinema.

Technical sheet

Director

Frederick Stephani and Ray Taylor

Year

1936

Country

United States

Running time

245 min · Serial in 13 chapters

Genre

Science Fiction, Action, Adventure

Written by

George H. Plympton, Frederick Stephani, Alex Raymond, Basil Dickey

Cinematography

Jerome Ash

Cast

Buster Crabbe, Jean Rogers, Frank Shannon, Charles Middleton, Priscilla Lawson, Richard Alexander

Production

King Features Syndicate, Universal Pictures

Music

Newly composed original score

Licensing